It's suppertime and phone is ringing. Guess who?

Back in 2004 David Emerson, then a Liberal cabinet minister, introduced legislation establishing a Do-Not-Call list intended to ward of those irritating telemarketers. Canadians rejoiced in the possibility of a more peaceful evening meal, free of people selling everything from time-share condominiums to political party memberships.

Until it never happened.

Now, apparently, the CRTC is prepared to move on the 2 1/2 year-old legislation.

The telecommunications regulator has taken the first steps toward establishing a long-awaited do-not-call list for phone-weary Canadians fed up with those pesky, unsolicited calls from telemarketers. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced Tuesday it will call for proposals later this month for bids from private, independent operators - two-and-a-half years after the legislation was tabled.

Once a provider is up and running, Canadians who prefer not to receive unsolicited calls will be able to add their numbers to the database free of charge. Telemarketers face significant penalties for failing to follow the dictates of the list.

Then-Liberal industry minister David Emerson - now the Tory trade minister - first tabled the legislation in December 2004. A report on the CRTC's public consultation was filed last July.

So, why has it taken so long? Do you really have to ask?

"This unconscionable delay is part of a larger trend of Ottawa failing to set reasonable ground rules to protect Canadians from unwanted marketing," Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, wrote recently.

The Liberals aren't off the hook on this one. While the Conservatives have done almost nothing on this file, the Liberals allowed it to wallow around in obscurity. The CRTC felt they didn't have the proper guidelines nor the enforcement authority to deal with the problem.

They still don't. Because if you think putting your name and number on any future Do-Not-Call list will make the persistent pests in the telemarketing world go away, think again. Geist in the Star:

Lobbying pressures substantially altered the bill, however, as Members of Parliament introduced new exceptions for charities, political parties, polling companies, newspapers and businesses with existing business relationships. The rationale for these exceptions ranged from saving Canadian charities to freedom of the press.

Existing business relationships.

Geist says that means travelers who spend one night in a hotel can be called by the hotel chain for the next 18 months.

That is a mild example. Any time you do business, if you leave a name and/or telephone number, you have granted tacit permission to be contacted by a telemarketer.

There is a way to deal with these disturbing calls. Here's a classic example:

The Ultimate Revenge On A Telemarketer

Even if the Do-Not-Call registry ever gets off the ground, it probably won't provide much relief.

"The exceptions unquestionably undermine the effectiveness of the do-not-call registry," Geist said, adding some have dubbed what remains as "the do-not-hesitate-to-call" registry.

Blunt works. No discussions, no long harangues, no quarter.